Forest Way School, Coalville

Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Forest Way School on 8 areas: 8 strong standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Strong standard. "The curriculum and wider opportunities help pupils to achieve well both academically and personally."

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders and staff consistently promote the importance of high attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Strong standard. "Leaders have a clear and accurate understanding of the quality of the curriculum and teaching across the school."

Early years - Strong standard. "Children benefit from an excellent start to their education at Forest Way School."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "An inclusive culture is embedded across the school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders use their detailed and accurate analysis of the school's performance to evaluate the effectiveness of the provision."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "The programme to support pupils' personal development is extensive and is an entitlement for every pupil."

Post 16 provision - Strong standard. "Leaders have a thorough understanding of the quality and suitability of the post-16 provision."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders and governors should sustain the effectiveness of their work, and that of their staff, in all areas to maintain their focus on securing continued development of the school's high-quality provision, including its post-16 offer, to drive a transformational impact for all pupils".

The school runs after-school care.

The nearest other special schools to Forest Way School are Nanpantan Hall Nurture Centre (3.1 miles, Outstanding); Bowman Academy (3.5 miles); Ashmount School (4.1 miles, Outstanding); and Maplewell Hall School (4.2 miles, Outstanding).

Forest Way School is one of 3 schools run by Open Thinking Partnership, an academy trust.

31 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Forest Way School (as of April 2026): 77% would recommend the school, 84% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that they are kept well informed about progress (61%).

Of the 16 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 100% stayed in education or training for at least two terms.

39.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 4.4% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

Almost every pupil at Forest Way School has an education, health and care plan (293 of 293 in 2026). The most common need among them is a severe learning difficulty.

Forest Way School has a resourced provision (265 places, 279 pupils on roll) and a SEN unit (12 places, 13 pupils on roll) for visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech, language and communication needs, autism, multi-sensory impairment, physical disability, moderate learning difficulties, severe learning difficulties and profound and multiple learning difficulties.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Forest Way School.

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Oakham Drive (adjacent), 340 metres away.

Forest Way School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.